Guys with more “masculine” faces generally have higher testosterone levels, and therefore are generally thought to have higher aggression levels. But the new study shows that while men with wider faces were more aggressive in general, they actually became more cooperative in a situation where they needed to support their home team. They study involved a group game where players could either freeload off othe players or risk their money to benefit the group as a whole. Guys were more likely to gamble for the good of the group when dealing with an outside rival.

The research didn’t have anything to do with romantic relationships, clearly, but I think it’s interesting to know that the guys who you might think of as aggressive and uncooperative might actually be the most fierce protectors of their own team. I’m thinking this would probably apply to his life partner and family as well.

Do you date a typically macho looking guy? Do you find him to be more generally aggressive than other men? What about how he treats you?